It's been about three months since I became an S-class mage. I was sitting on the rafters watching the people move about below. I sighed. I had become much closer with the guild. More familiar, more welcomed. I often sparred with Natsu and Gray, chatted with Mira, read with Levy. But whenever I was out I felt the feeling of being watched. It wasn't chilling. More. . . protective. I smiled whenever I felt it. I purposely took the long routes around, went out more. Everything had been the same as usual. But since a week ago when I dreamt of the voices yet again, I felt sad. The cheeriness of the guild was rather sickening in this moment.
I hadn't gotten any sleep. I hadn't taken any jobs. I had barely talked to anyone for the past week. All I could think of was that man. His being tortures me. I recently found myself thinking more about him. I know him, I know him, I goddamn know him! Why can't I remember him! I clutched my hand to my head as I thought, trying to remember his features. My usual happy face was twisted in a look of confusion, sadness, and defeat. Why?
I reached my hand down to my black sash I had tied over my shoulder and down the opposite side of me. I gently felt the silky fabric and kneaded it in my hands. It reminded me of him. I smiled slightly, but it quickly disappeared when I remembered the dread of not knowing him. I leaped off the beam and landed on the guild floor. A Loud thump resounded through the guild as I stood up uninjured. I could feel the stares of the room watching after me as I opened the guild doors. Rain was pouring outside and thunder sounded. I gave it no mind as I walked out. My sandals making slight tapping noises as I walked away from the warmth of the guild. At this point in time, it was suffocating. I clenched and unclenched my fist as I walked, not really caring where I was going.
I walked around aimlessly. I found myself in a forest. I inhaled the scent around me. Grass, rain, the subtle hint of flowers. I came across a dead patch of land. I walked closer towards it. I soon found myself on a path of destruction. Dead matter filled the air, I smelt the scent of tears. Fresh. Before long, I came upon a clearing, where I stopped dead in my tracks.
In front of me sat a man. About twenty yards away with his back turned to me. He was sitting crosslegged on the ground by a cliff, his head was in his hands. I saw it. The white streak. I noticed it was now a sash. My eyes widened. I started walking towards him in a semi-dazed state. Not seeing anything but him. I was snapped out of my thoughts when I stepped on a stick. God fucking dammit.
His head whipped around. He shot up onto his feet. I reached my hand out towards him as I slowly walked towards him. His black eyes frantically darted around, looking distressed. Why?
He started backing away. He started muttering.
"N-no. I I can-t . . . . no." He sunk to his knees and gripped his head. "NOT NOW!"
Before I knew it I was hit by a massive wave of dark energy. My hair was whipping around wildly. I barely was able to cast Protection. When my shield cracked the magic burst through. I cried out in pain. I collapsed. I heard a faint masculine voice call to me. "I'm sorry,"
When the cloud of dust cleared, he wasn't there. Why? Why did you leave me again? I felt tears slip down my cheeks. I began to shake.
I screamed into the downpour. My howl filled with sadness. I could hear it. I cold hear the utter desperation. I sobbed into the sky. The empty feeling nipping at me.
I stayed there for around an hour. Until it was tolerable and I was no longer crying. I picked myself up as I walked back the way I think I came. My head still hung low and my steps sluggish. I slowly trudged back to the guild.
When I got to the doors I weakly pried them open and staggered in. The cheerful mood of the guild immediately ceased as I walked through, not letting my eyes show to the people. I slightly waved my hand at Levy and Mira before I walked down the long hallway that lead to my room.
When I got in I locked the door behind me and collapsed on my bed, peaking out between my blonde locks that had fallen in my hair as I stared out at the dimming evening light of the window. The rain was still pouring. I dug my head into my pillow and fell into sleep.
I slowly opened my eyes. I realized it was morning and quickly got ready. I felt better today, so I decided I'd put up a cheerful front and act like it wasn't a big deal. I opened my door and skipped down towards the guild hall for added effect. I could hear the yells and such. People told me something special was happening today.
I skipped into the hall and many people glanced at me worriedly. I pulled off flawless fake smiles and cheerful waves as I went to the bar where Mira stood. The onlookers happily returned to their things. Glad that I was back to normal. When I sat down at the bar I happily waved off Mira's questions and ordered a strawberry smoothie. Which I quietly sipped as I watched Gray, Natsu, Lissana, Erza, and Gajeel brawl. Lissana must have tried to stop it and got caught up again. I sighed as I smiled at the scene.
"Glad you're back to normal Lucy," Mira said as she dried glasses. "Yeah, I just had a bad day is all! I'm all fine now," I said sweetly.
"Hey, Isn't today supposed to be a big day?" I asked. Mira jumped up and down in happiness. "Yes! Master's gonna' make an announcement in a second!" She said as she smiled at me.
"Oh! I almost forgot! We gotta' go backstage for the announcement," She said as she dragged me off behind stage. I saw Laxus and Wendy stare at me, I just smiled at the m like nothing happened. Wendy bought it. Laxus looked suspicious. I just smiled even brighter, causing him to blush. Erza walked behind and joined us. Master opened the curtain with magic.
Cheers erupted in the guild as he walked out. "YO! IT'S TIME FOR THE S-CLASS EXAMS! THIS YEAR WE WILL HOLD THE GAMES ON TENROUJIMA, FAIRY TAIL'S HOLY GROUND TOMORROW! YOU MAY GET THE CHANCE TO BATTLE IT OUT WITH ONE OF OUR S-CLASS MAGES!' He roared as more cheers resounded throughout the guild. Mira beckoned me to come up to the stage with the rest of the S-class. Wendy, Erza, Laxus, Mira, Gildarts, and I smiled at the crowd. Well, Laxus smirked, close enough.
"THIS YEAR'S PARTICIPANTS ARE:
GRAY FULLBUSTER
NATSU DRAGONEEL
JUVIA LOCKSER
LEVY MCGARDEN
ELFMAN STRAUSS
FREED JUSTINE
CANA ALBERONA
ALZACK CONNELL
YOU MUST CHOOSE A PARTNER TO PARTICIPATE WITH. THEY MUST NOT BE AN S-CLASS MAGE OR ANOTHER PARTICIPANT."
Makarov yelled.
This should be fun.
HELLO! THIS IS IMPORTANT. GRAY IS WITH PANTHERLILY. NATSU IS WITH HAPPY. JUVIA IS WITH LISSANA. LEVY IS WITH GAJEEL. ELFMAN IS WITH EVERGREEN. FREED IS WITH BICKSLOW. CANA IS WITH CHARLA. ALZACK IS WITH BISCA.